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Turais Scoile

Children of all ages can learn about Spike Islands incredible history through our curriculum led, age appropriate school tours which offer an incredible mix of history, sightseeing, archaeology and adventure activities in Ireland’s premier school tour destination.

In the last 1300 years Spike Island has been home to heroes and villains, captains and convicts, red coats and rioters, sinners and saints, and the islands impressive 104 acres have at one time or another hosted an Island monastery, an Island prison, an Island fortress and an Island home.

The tour with a short 10/20 minute ferry ride that tells the fascinating story of Cobh and Cork harbour. Once on the island students will learn about island life, nature and geography while walking our beautiful island trails. Then it’s on to the imposing Fortress Spike which at 24 acres is one of the largest star shaped forts in the world!

Spike Island was the largest prison in the known world in the 1850’s with over 2300 inmates during the famine years, and there has never been before or since a larger prison in Britain or Ireland. A tour of our impressive ‘Punishment Block’ shows the dreadful conditions Victorian convicts endured, and in our modern cells visitors can experience daily life for 1980’s prisoners. The tour continues to the mighty 6’’ harbour guns which are the most powerful coastal defence guns in Ireland, and our gun park’s military vehicles and canons showcase coastal warfare.

We break up the tour element with some fantastic adventure activities which can include an archaeology dig, military dress up and drills and jail break orienteering before lunch in our purpose built cafe. Packed lunches are welcome, and classroom facilities are available.

Finally it’s on to our Transportation room where a recreation of a convict hulk helps us to tell the story of the tens of thousands of Irish men and women transported from Spike Island to all corners of the world. While our media room has a state of the art computer rendering of Cork Harbour where students can take control and pilot a ship or protect Cork harbour from attack!

Our trained guides will also tell the stories of our famous island personalities, from convicts like Jack in the Box, Irish nationalists prisoners like John Mitchell and Austin Stack, to famous dignitaries like Eamonn De Valera and celebrated residents like Little Nellie of Holy God.

From daring escapes and recent riots to famine prisoners and World Wars, no matter what the interest or age group Spike Island has it all. 1300 years of history awaits. Will you escape from Fortress Spike??

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School Projects

Given our rich history and heritage it is not surprising that many schools use Spike Island for project work, and we are always keen to support schools in their efforts.

Our School Projects page has links to useful content including videos, downloadable workbooks and other project related resources. If you would like more info or to arrange a visit to your school for a presentation on Spike Island prior to a trip to Spike, contact us. (Limited school visits can be facilitated each year).

Prices

€18 per child for full day including ferry, guides and all activities.

€12 for a shorter 2 hour reduced tour.

1 teacher free with every 10 children.

Group Size

Our ferry is covered for up to 40 people, maximum capacity 78.

Access

Walk from fort to pier is 10 minutes, most attractions a few minutes apart. Comfortable shoes and dress recommended.

Food

We have cafe and picnic facilities on site and schools can bring their own packed lunch or we will quote a price for lunches.

Weather

On bad weather days, we skip the external tour and use one of the Forts buildings.

We had the pleasure & experience of visiting Spike Island on a day trip the journey from Cobh harbour was by ferry, the crew were great giving information & answering questions. Our tour guide was brilliant, an ex navy man himself, spent time with all. He really got across the history of Spike. A day trip everyone should try at least once. Prices were very reasonable for souvenirs & the coffee shop. We will definitely go again well done to the people of Cobh for having & maintaining such a famous landmark.

Bernard & Helena Mc Cathy

Ireland

Went over to Spike Island during the summer. What a great day out, very interesting place, great walks and a big field if you wanted too chill out or if the kids want to play. It has a shop so you can get food and drinks. You could make a whole day out of it, there was more added to it during the year so can't wait to go over again this summer, would highly recommend it.

Yvonne

Ireland

We visited for a day trip in Sept 2015 after hearing fab reviews from family members. A beautiful historical island with stunning views of Cobh harbour and the Irish Naval base.
The ferry trip out was lovely as it was a beautiful day. Our tour guide John was very knowledgable and had a real passion for the islands history which made the experience so much better for us.
The tour is split into 2 sections with a coffee break in between, there is a coffee shop on the Island that sells beautiful local cakes

Nicola D

Ireland

Great Tour of the Island. My Family and I visited Spike Island (February) and we all found it very interesting. The trip on the ferry accross was great and we were lucky it was a dry day. You would have to wrap up though as it is quite cold. We found it very interesting. Some of it was derelict and more of it was modernised as it was used as a prison. For history lovers it is a great place to go. The views of Cobh from the Island are magnificent.